Harold 'Butch' Drake

Harold W. Butch Drake Jr. 63, of Danville passed away at 8:51am on August 19, 2008 at Provena USMC in Danville. He was born on April 12, 1945, in Danville, the son of Harold W. Drake Sr. and Pearl Drake (Gritton). Both deceased. On October 5, 1990, Harold married Betty Bruce in Danville. She survives along with their children, Kelly Drake, Kevin Drake, Keith (Missy) Hughes, Dave Hughes, and Jody (Steve) Johnson. Also surviving Harold are his grandchildren: Ryan, Dakota, Allyson, Loudyn, Alyssa, Blake, Bradley, one great-grandson, his sister, Billie (Arnold) Pruitt, his aunts, Dorothy, Rosemary, Carol, Patsy, and his special aunt, Ruth. His special uncle, Phillip, his uncle Ronald, stepmother, Vera Drake, and his three special buddies, Bobby Ford, Butch Howard, and Gene Culp also survive Harold, as well as many other of his aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. His step-dad, Ed Gritton precedes Harold in death. Harold was a United States Navy veteran for six years, stationed on the USS Wasp. After the service, he was employed with General Electric for 27 years, until closing, then with Chem.-Cast for 5 years working in the maintenance department at both places. He loved to fish, play poker, and drink coffee, as well as mushroom hunt. He never met a stranger, and was always ready to help when needed. He will be missed by all that knew him.